President George Vella Meets Maltese Community In Adelaide

Oct 16 2023

President George Vella encouraged the Maltese community in Australia, now in its third and fourth generation, to remain active so that Maltese customs and traditions are not lost over time.

During an event organised by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Zoe Bettison, in Adelaide in the state of South Australia, President Vella said that the Maltese communities abroad are part of our extended family. They are part of Malta and Gozo. He stated that he feels it is his duty to meet and keep in touch with them.

President Vella observed that while there is a smaller number of Maltese in this state than in other Australian states, he is impressed that there are at least seven associations and other entities assisting the Maltese community or organising activities with the aim of keeping Maltese traditions alive. “This is an excellent example of how, while being fully integrated in Australian life, through your professions, families and hobbies, you have kept the characteristics that make you Maltese and Gozitans in your heart”, added the President.

The President said that during his last meeting with the Council for Maltese Living Abroad, last month, he could note that Australia’s representatives on this Council were and still are among the most active and enthusiastic to safeguard the interests of the Maltese community in Australia. He remarked with pleasure their emphasis on the need to promote Maltese culture and also Maltese history, especially with the young generation of Maltese in Australia.

In Adelaide, President Vella also met with the Governor of South Australia, Frances Adamson. There are around 7,800 people of Maltese descent in South Australian. Most of the Maltese emigrated to this Australian state in the fifties and sixties. A smaller group emigrated in the seventies.

In his last engagement in the state of Victoria, President Vella visited the Caroline Springs George Cross FC, which has a long history in football. Here, the President received a warm welcome by a large number of Maltese attending the event. In a few words on the occasion, President Vella said that this club is a strong testimony of how the Maltese identity – in this case the sporting identity – has been steadily renewed over the years. He remarked that such clubs have served and still serve as a place where Maltese meet and support each other. He admitted that this meeting was an emotional experience seeing different generations of the Maltese community together. The President also met with a group of children, most of them of Maltese descent, who train at this club. The band ‘MMG Concert Band of Victoria’ also took part in this event.

The President’s delegation in Australia includes the Minister for Public Works and Planning Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.

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6 Year Old Palestinian Boy Stabbed To Death In Chicago Hate Crime

Oct 16 2023

Joseph Czuba, a 71-year-old Illinois man, was charged with hate crimes for fatally stabbing a 6-year-old Muslim boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, and injuring his mother, Hanaan Shahin.

The attack, driven by religious animosity and linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict, occurred in Plainfield Township, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago.

The boy sustained 26 stab wounds from a military-style knife with a 7-inch serrated blade, while his 32-year-old mother suffered multiple stab wounds but is expected to survive.

President Joe Biden condemned the act, emphasising that the victims, Palestinian Muslims, sought refuge in America for peace and security. Czuba faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two hate crime counts, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that both victims were targeted due to their Muslim faith and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict. Czuba, exercising his constitutional right, did not provide statements during police interviews.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) identified the victims and urged an end to Islamophobic rhetoric and anti-Palestinian racism. FBI Director Christopher Wray cautioned vigilance against increasing threats, especially from potential lone actors influenced by recent events. He emphasised the need to be watchful in this heightened environment.

#MaltaDaily

Neil Agius Shares Video Of Jake Vella Swimming With Oxygen Tank

Oct 16 2023

Swimming olympian Neil Agius took to social media over the weekend to share the impressive feats being carried out by the young Jake Vella.

‘Jake has every excuse (all valid) under the sun to stay in bed all day. It’s justified given his condition. Instead I find him swimming this morning with an oxygen tank. Yes, an oxygen tank.’

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A post shared by Neil Agius (@neil.agius)

Jake, a sports ambassador from Malta, suffers from ROHHAD, a medical condition which keeps him overweight despite all attempts by him to exercise and trim down.

However, Jake never let this stop him, with this video showing his father Josie walking beside him to keep the tank within the tubes’ reach.

‘This is straight up legendary status’, Neil said, describing Josie as an inspiration to us all.’

#MaltaDaily

Taylor Swift Eras Tour Movie Breaks Records Opening Weekend

Oct 16 2023

Taylor Swift’s concert film, “The Eras,” has stormed the box office, raking in an estimated $95 to $97 million during its opening weekend.

This makes it one of the biggest domestic openings of 2023, surpassing Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never.” Directed by Sam Wrench, the film chronicles Swift’s 2023-2024 world tour, offering fans an immersive experience.

Notably, “The Eras” also earned approximately $32 million in international sales, claiming the top spot in various countries. Its success has been a cultural and economic phenomenon, boosting local economies and even causing seismic activity in Seattle due to enthusiastic fans.

The film’s release was highly anticipated, showing in 3,855 theatres across the US and Canada. AMC reported over $100 million in advance ticket sales, breaking records in the company’s century-long history. Swift, a 12-time Grammy winner, announced the film’s release on Instagram in late August.

Running for nearly three hours, the film was shot over three nights at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. With its remarkable success, “The Eras” cements Swift’s status as a powerhouse in both the music and film industries.

#MaltaDaily